​Community Spotlight: Junior Achievement

How has the partnership between the nonprofit organization and CenterPoint Energy enabled this signature program to generate results beyond what each organization could otherwise achieve?

CenterPoint Energy has always been a strong proponent of preparing students for their future. With nearly 100 CenterPoint Energy volunteers entering classrooms across the Greater Houston area every school year, their vision led to impact growth through the creation of the JA Your Career, Your Future program.

The partnership between Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and CenterPoint Energy is based around the mutual commitment to excellence befitting of the needs of our schools and community. The JA Your Career, Your Future program was developed with direct input from CenterPoint Energy volunteers and executive leadership, and the company’s values are evident even when taught by other organizations’ volunteers. The program, which focuses on soft skills, post-secondary education options, quality of life and more, allows students to explore the world of work with the assistance of industry professionals. Last school year, through this program with the commitment from CenterPoint Energy volunteers, 4,242 students in 184 classes gained knowledge and skills for a successful future, regardless of their origins or career goals.

The message that “everyone can succeed if they work hard and persevere” resonates around our area, and CenterPoint Energy volunteers enthusiastically shared that sentiment through this program for more than five years. After being introduced to our school districts, many have grown the program across the district, reaching additional young people with the message of success and opportunity.

Please share a story or beneficiary testimonial that showcases how the program works and/or what positive effect it has had.

CenterPoint Energy JA volunteers have been teaching the JA Your Career, Your Future program at Hambrick Middle School (Aldine ISD) since the 2012/2013 school year – seven years. The testimonials below are from a teacher, as well as from the JA associate who manages the CenterPoint Energy partnership.

“The presenters (CenterPoint Energy volunteers) were positive influences with our students as they shared their own personal career paths. Their professionalism and the information they shared based on their own real-life experiences left an impression not only on the students, but also on the teachers of Hambrick Middle School. It’s inspiring to me that JA volunteers are committed to excellence in the search of local programs and ideas that fit our school and community.”

– Mary Newsome, teacher, Hambrick Middle School

“It’s evident when CenterPoint Energy employees volunteer in classrooms they are passionate about sharing their own experiences with the students. Students really engage with the employees, demonstrating the need and benefit on both sides of the relationship between the student and volunteer.”